The Nightingales Castle by Sonia Velton. Erzsébet Báthory (I think) is a very well known historical baddie who did some hella murdering. This follows a girl sent to work in her castle during the strange goings on. The plot was really good and I think it was very well written but I would loved to have had more of the woman herself. It poses interesting questions but I want more of her. It’s obviously not a very cheery book but definitely worth a read. My take away from this book is stay at home.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and Sonia Velton for the opportunity to receive a digital arc of The Nightingale's Castle from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Any vampire lover knows the story of Elizabeth Bathory (Erzsébet Báthory), the Blood Countess, who was said to have bathed in the blood of virgins to keep her youthful beauty and is said to have murdered 600 maidens as one of history's most prolific female serial killers. The Nightingale's Castle explores a different angle to the story, highlighting motives and other ideas of how the grounds of these accusations might be false to bring to heel a woman with too much power, position, and wealth in the male-dominated world of the 16th Century.

Sonia Velton spins a story of witchcraft, oppression, and injustice against a woman who held power in a dark, gothic tale where the monsters are of the human variety, how power corrupts us into the worst version of ourselves no matter our station in life and the bonds of women living in repressed societies. Historical fact and fantasy are woven into a beautiful narrative, giving a vivid picture of the daily lives of the wealthy and servants of the Countess's castle. The writing is detailed, full of meticulously well-researched facts of history and thoughtful insights into the state of mind of women of all stations who dwell in a fearful world steeped in superstition and suppression of religion.

There are shifting POVs of many characters, including some side characters. I sometimes struggled to keep these shifts straight in my head, which confused me. I didn't always see why some characters needed to have their time in the spotlight, as their deeds could have easily been cast into the plot by other characters' views. I think a few too many voices detracted from the integrity and compelling of the overall story. Despite many characters and POVs to juggle, they were very detailed, complicated, 3-dimensional individuals with all their trauma, grief, and stories that united them in the household and service of the Countess.

A bloodthirsty tale of power, state of womanhood, and fantasy woven into an interesting retelling, offering an alternative theory about the story of the infamous Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory. No vampirism to cut your teeth on, but if you like a historical novel with a twist of magic or witchcraft and how women cut out their niches in a grim world where life and death mingle cheek-by-cheek, dominated by the power of men and the church and struggle for women to be vulnerable, virtuous and establish their rights, this would be a book you might enjoy.

The Nightingale’s Castle by Sonia Velton
This is a fascinating novel set in Hungary in 1610 and concerning the Blood Countess, Erzebet Bathory. It is a story which you think you know, the Countess who used to bathe in the blood of young virgins, but which the author approaches in a very different way. I found the story engrossing from the outset. Most of the action is viewed from the perspective of Boroka, a young servant. At the opening of the book Boroka is persuaded to leave the man who has acted as her father all her life as it is not seen as appropriate for them to live together any longer. She goes to work for the Countess.
She becomes close to the Countess when she is asked to help by posing in place of the Countess during the lengthy painting of the Countess’ portrait. She then moves closer into the Countess’ orbit when she attends sessions for the young noble women who surround the Countess. The countess is portrayed as a powerful woman with amazing financial acumen but who allows some of her servants to dominate her. The myths around the countess mainly grew up after her death and this novel tries to demonstrate that this was in all possibility a witch hunt carried out by men who were in financial debt to this powerful widow.
It is a fascinating perspective to suggest that the servants were the main movers in the murders and there are also suggestions that many of the deaths were in fact due to the plague which was still devastating the population. The truth of the story will never be uncovered but this is an interesting version. Very readable and it is a novel that I will be wholeheartedly recommending at my various book groups. Thanks to Sonia Velton, Harper Collins and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

This was OK, not my favourite book but was interesting in parts, sometimes I was a little confused what was actually going on and lost interest, but overall the historical side was good and the gothic twisty side I enjoyed.

A historical fiction retelling of the renowned Elizabeth Bathory, also known as the infamous 'Blood Countess' who was accused of murdering many peasant girls. Told from her and her servants points of view this beautifully descriptive story spins an alternative narrative to what is historically written.

The Nightingale's Castle retells the true story of a Hungarian countess in the 16th century who was accused of murdering hundreds of young girls serving in her castle. The author weaves in historical facts in a beautiful narrative with elements of magical realism and well-rounded, layered side characters which become central to the unraveling of the plot. Velton's writing is beautiful and well aligned with the historical times she is describing, without being overly archaic. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and thought it was a very original and unique take on a tale which I didn't know much about before I started reading.

I admire Velton for the important and compelling themes she explores in the novel - feminism in a time where the mere existence of this concept seems impossible; the manipulation of truth in historical narratives; the bonds between women. These were touched upon in the novel in an interesting way but I felt like there were a bit too many elements Velton was juggling with - including a vast cast of characters, following historical facts, and throwing in a bit of magic. It left me wanting to stay longer with one event or character and delve into them deeper. And I would have liked to know what happens to the countess in the end in the novel itself, rather than the author's notes at the end.

Having said that, I found this a very enjoyable read and would recommend it to readers who are interested in historical fiction, or just simply reading a good dark, mysterious story.

I must be one of the few people that hadn't heard of Erzsébet Báthory, the 'Blood Countess' before! Commonly regarded as the most prolific female serial killer, it's alleged she's murdered over 600 peasant girls. The Nightingale's Castle explores the reasons why this might not be true, including the motivations behind this lie, and rewrites her place in feminist history.

15 year old Boróka is sent to join the Countess at her castle, and unexpectedly stays to form a close relationship with this formidable lady with the most gruesome reputation. Boróka doesn't know who she can trust, in a den full of vipers you have to always be on your guard.

This is beautifully told, it's incredibly dark (as you would expect!) but also so full of life and incredibly vivid depictions of life at an ancient court - with all the rituals, hierarchy and deference you would expect. Highly recommended!

The Nightingale's Castle by Sonia Velton is a work of historical fiction inspired by the real life figure Erzsébet Báthory, perhaps better known as the Blood Countess, who was accused of the murder of up to 600 young woman in Hungary in the 1600s. In this book Velton tells her story through the perspectives of several characters but the Countess herself is not a direct point of view character, instead we must rely on the impressions and descriptions of others to make up our minds about her intentions and actions.
The central character of the book is Boróka, a fifteen year old young girl who goes to work in the castle after leading a very sheltered life in the forest where she grew up with her adoptive father. She soon captures the attention of the Countess and becomes something of a favourite , sheltered from the casual cruelties inflicted on many of the other servants, so she is distraught when the Countess is accused of her terrible crimes.
I was immediately intrigued by this take on such an infamous historical figure and the stunning cover made me even more eager to pick up a copy of this book. I have to say it was a little bit of a slow burn at first, there were a lot of characters introduced in a short space of time and that combined with the continuously shifting perspectives took a little getting used to , but once I got to grips with the various characters it flowed relatively smoothly. There was an element of magical realism in the book that I was not expecting from the description, but it worked very well and ended up being one of my favourite things about the book as a whole.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I was completely engrossed in this dark gothic book and that it is loosely based on fact, but maybe more on folklore, makes it even more shocking. Countess Erzsébet Báthory, who has become known as the ‘Blood Countess', was accused of the murder of over 600 young girls in 1610. This is a sympathetic retelling of her story, but don’t be taken in by that. This is not one for the faint hearted! 15-year-old Boróka has been brought up by a doctor who found her as a baby but when the countess sends her staff out looking for girls to work in Cachtice Castle he reluctantly agrees to let her go. This is a medium paced book but I found it compelling from the start and finished it in a day.

Briefly, Boróka soon finds that her life is not going to be an easy one. Two of the Countess’s most trusted servants Dorka and Ilona are cruel to the servants and everyone is terrified of them. However, Boróka catches the eye of the Countess and her elevated status means she receives less punishment than the others. The Countess has commissioned a portrait and Boróka is required to sit for the artist in place of the Countess for most of the time. One day she opens a rosewood box and finds a book that seems to tell her story. But that’s not all. The contents of the box seem to change depending on who opens it.

I found the depiction of life in a 17th century castle fascinating. Really well written and very descriptive, and in this case, quite distressing at times. All the stories are leading to the main event; the trial of Countess Erzsébet Báthory when the loyalties of her staff are tested to the full. I’ve since read around this and the historical detail is very good and the author has obviously done a lot of research. Personally I like to think the Countess was innocent but we will never know for certain. A really good gothic tale, loyalty and betrayal, love and hate, and ruthless behaviours that beggar belief! I loved it.

Set in Hungary in 1610/11, the book focus on the 'Dracula' Erzsebet Bathory , a countess who it has been said murdered hundreds of peasant girls.

Young Boroka, is an orphan, and is persuaded to go with Dorka to join the household of the countess. Every time she opens a rosewood box, a book with her life story appears..... but the box appears to be magical as depending who opens it they see something else.

Dorka and Ilona, two of the Countess' staff, appear to torture the girls if they do not do their jobs well... in the summer a plague hits the castle and several girls including a young aristrocat dies.

At Christmas, everything comes to a head, and the countess is put under house arrest while Dorka, Ilona and Stefan are executed, Kata is held in prison. Boroka is determined to find the truth about herself and also the Countess.

A gothic read.....

The Nightingale's Castle is a feminist reimagining of the story of Erzsébet Báthory, a sixteenth-century Hungarian noble famously known as the 'Blood Countess'. Velton succeeds in her portrayal of daily life in an early 17th century castle, told from a variety of different perspectives. I appreciated the slower pace and the skilful way tension was built towards the trial over the course of the novel. What stopped me from rating this higher was my lack interest in the middle of the book. There were certain engossing passages throughout but as I reached the midway point of the story I found myself wanting to pick this book up less and less. Despite this I think the third act was rewarding in concluding a tragic tale and would encourage readers to persevere. . I would recommend The Nightingale's Castle to readers wanting a gothic, female-centred tale, and to anyone who doesn't mind some historical inaccuracies.

This imagining of Erzsébet Báthory “the Blood Countess” set in early 17th century Hungary is an elaborately embroidered historical tale of women, daughters and accusations of witchcraft.

The Countess’s teenage maid, Boróka, is a key character in this more sympathetic depiction of the Countess, who is as much a victim of her widowed status as the potential crimes of her close knit circle.

As the Countess is brought to trial, the link between her and Boróka becomes clearer as she is forced to choose her loyalties.

This is a carefully researched and beautifully written story with very believable characters, but I would have preferred the novel to have been more linear and plot driven.

Elizabeth Báthory is an historical figure who, like Vlad Dracula, has been made infamous due to their depictions in books and movies.

I jumped at the chance to read this book when I saw it was set in her Castle, interested to read a different kind of story about those times.
The Countess herself is almost a back story in this book, and actually it's a good thing because the crimes committed against young girls and the abuse of Women take a centre stage, their repercussions a focal point.

The story centres on a young girl, sent to the Castle as a servant, who rises to become a trusted companion to Countess Bathory and it's her personal story that takes the main story.

I liked the fact that the Countess is not depicted as a blood thirsty psychopath, obsessed with her own looks and mutilating girls for their blood. The Authors note at the end of the book is fascinating and adds so much depth to the reasons the Author had for the way she wrote the roles of those accused.

Overall a really good book, very grateful that I got to read this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publishers.

In the dark recesses of historical lore, the name Erzsébet Báthory casts a long shadow, synonymous with tales of horror and bloodshed. Sonia Velton’s "The Nightingale's Castle" offers a fresh, feminist reimagining of this infamous figure, blending elements of suspense and fantasy to craft a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of 16th-century Hungary. The novel introduces Boróka, a young woman thrust into the orbit of the enigmatic Countess, whose reputation for cruelty and violence precedes her. As Boróka navigates the treacherous corridors of power and intrigue within the Countess’s household, she grapples with questions of loyalty, morality, and the true nature of justice.

Velton’s portrayal of the characters, particularly the complex dynamics between Boróka and the Countess, is a masterstroke of storytelling. Through vivid prose and meticulous attention to historical detail, she brings to life a world steeped in superstition and fear, where women wield both power and vulnerability in equal measure. The exploration of trauma and abuse resonates deeply, offering readers a thought-provoking examination of the human condition and the lengths to which individuals will go in the pursuit of power and self-preservation.

At its core, "The Nightingale's Castle" is a tale of resilience and redemption, woven with threads of darkness and hope. Velton’s deft narrative hand guides the reader through a labyrinth of secrets and betrayals, culminating in a climax that is as thrilling as it is poignant. Despite its grim subject matter, the novel ultimately leaves a lasting impression of courage and compassion, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for e-ARC of this book!
Available July 30th, 2024.

Brilliantly written historical fiction. I know that this is a retelling of actual historical events but the way the characters are portrayed is excellent. All the characters are very compelling. The story writing is really engaging, and very immersive. I loved Boroka. She is such a beautiful character amidst the darkness of death and torture. I didn’t know anything about this historical character before so I really enjoyed learning about her from this retelling of her story.

This was a great Gothic read! I've read a little about the real Elizabeth Bathory but I really love what Sonia Velton did with her character. I did get a bit lost with following all the different characters in the beginning but that got easier as the plot went on. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and all the historical details. It really felt grounded in that time period. I'll definitely pick up more books from her in the future.

The story tells the early seventeenth century tale of Hungarian Countess Erzsébet Báthory, the infamous "Blood Countess" who according to legend killed hundreds of her young female servants.

The story is retold and explored from the viewpoint of the Countess herself and several of her servants, and offers a different explanation of the myths that have been told for hundreds of years.

Velton spins several threads of the story to start with, the transitions of which could be a little confusing - I found myself wondering what was going on a few times, but it was satisfying when those threads were all brought together.

I enjoyed the omniscient narration and the ability to hear the thoughts and feelings of so many of the women involved, especially exploring the complexities and actions of broken people who had suffered trauma and pain in their pasts. I especially enjoyed the explorations of power in a patriarchal society and how women were used and abused by this imbalance across society and across generations.

A content warning - I didn’t know about the Blood Countess beforehand so went into the story blind - it is gruesome! There is death, torture and cruelty. I am squeamish and easily scared so keep that in mind if you are too. If you love horror and dark, gothic themes I am sure you’ll love the growing tension and macabre scenes. It will certainly keep you turning the pages to find out what happens!

I will publish the review on Instagram on the 28th April.

This was a true historical novel! Before starting this book I never knew this story existed so I wasn't that prepared for a retelling but I enjoyed it! The writing style itself was good but I struggled with the amount of different characters. It was hard to keep track of them. But I loved the world building and how the story was structured.

"The Nightingale's Castle" by Sonia Velton is an excellent "true telling" of the Blood Countess' story. Having grown up watching Hammer Horror films, I was well aware of the legendary story of the Blood Countess who allegedly kept her youth by bathing in the blood of virgins. The scene setting at the beginning of the story did remind me of some of the Hammer Horror scenes (not in a bad way) but as we got to know Boroka and the other characters those memories of the film faded into the background as the powerful plot took over. What an injustice to Erzebet Bathory - the hearsay, rumours and false accounts of those around her made the legend stick but we can see it from her side and how lies can stick. Another excellent story from Sonia Velton. I will continue to be a fan of her varied work.

An in depth novel based on true historical facts- my favourite genre! This is a book to read slowly and savour, as there are many characters and the writing is detailed. I had never heard of this ‘blood countess’ before which made this book even more interesting. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review.